The proposed budget outlines a deficit of Tk 2.26 trillion, which equals 3.62 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The outgoing year’s ADP was initially Tk 2.65 trillion, revised down to Tk 2.16 trillion. Saifuddin argued that if leakages and mismanagement in development spending can be curbed, job creation may not suffer. DEFICIT SMALLEST IN 14 YEARSThe proposed deficit of Tk 2.26 trillion is the lowest in 14 years. The last time the budget deficit dipped below this level was in FY2010–11, when it stood at 3.8 percent of GDP.
